Barco | Press Releases

Barco files patent infringement lawsuit against Aydin Displays, Inc.

Tue, 13 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Kortrijk, Belgium, 13 May 2008 - Barco, N.V. ("Barco"), together with its U.S. subsidiary Barco Federal Systems, LLC, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Aydin Displays, Inc. in the federal district court in Atlanta. The case involves two U.S. patents held by Barco pertaining to LCD flicker compensation ("LFC"), U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,909,472 and 6,359,663. The flicker compensation technology in these patents, which was developed by Barco engineers, is important in military applications, particularly sonar.

Barco appoints two new directors

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:25:00 GMT

Kortrijk, 28 april 2008 – Two new directors were appointed at the Annual General Meeting of Barco, held on Thursday 24 April 2008. Mr. Martin De Prycker was reappointed as director. Furthermore the Annual General Meeting took note of the dismissal as director of Mr. Jozef Cornu and of the end of the mandate as director of Mr. Philippe Naert.

Results first quarter confirm expectations for further growth in 2008

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:30:00 GMT

Regulated information

First Quarter 2008 financial highlights¹ on the basis of continuing operations² :

The order book at the end of March 2008 amounted to euro 324.5 million compared to euro 336.7 million the previous year. Order intake totaled euro 198.4 million, down 10.3% compared to the same period in 2007 but up 6.4% versus 4Q07.
Sales amounted to euro 165.7 million, an increase of 5.9%. At constant currencies growth was 14%.
Gross profit rose by 3.1% to euro 63.4 million from euro 61.5 million the previous year.
EBIT remained flat at euro 6.5 million. The EBIT margin was 3.9% compared to 4.2% in 1Q07. Currency evolution cost Barco euro 3.7 million in EBIT. At constant currencies EBIT would have grown 57%.
EBITDA was euro 20.8 million, a margin of 12.6%. In 1Q07 EBITDA was euro 18.9 million, a margin of 12.1%.
Net income was euro 6.6 million, down 12.8% from euro 7.5 million in 1Q07.
Net earnings per share were euro 0.55 compared to euro 0.62 for the same period the previous year.

¹ Unless otherwise indicated, all financial and operating data discussed in this announcement are in accordance with IFRS and in million of Euro. Tables state figures in thousands of Euro, unless otherwise noted. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are between the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, and the equivalent three-month period ended March 31, 2007.

² Following IFRS rules comparison must be made on the basis of "continuing operations". This means that the results of the division BarcoVision is shown as a separate line ("results from discontinued operations") and added to the net results of the continuing operations. All financial data appearing further in this announcement will be based on "continuing operations" for 1Q08 as well as for 1Q07, unless otherwise indicated.

Itema and Barco confirm their intention to finalize the BarcoVision agreement

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:40:00 GMT

Regulated information

Kortrijk, 14 April 2008. In July 2007 Barco signed an agreement for the acquisition of its division BarcoVision by Itema group from Bergamo, Italy, pending the approval of antitrust authorities. The antitrust commissions of China, Turkey and Brazil have already approved the transaction.

Barco launches the world's first "green" digital billboard

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:30:00 GMT

CHINA, BEIJING, 2 April 2008 - Barco, a world leader in visualization and display solutions, announces the launch of its new DB-x20—the world's first "green" digital billboard. Designed for digital outdoor advertising networks, the DB-x20 range features green components, low power consumption, superior visual performance and maximum ROI.

Barco secures 4 million euro order to supply diagnostic displays across Spain

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:00:00 GMT

European Congress of Radiology, Vienna, Austria, 7 March 2008 – Barco, a market leader in diagnostic displays, announces that Spanish public company RED.ES has ordered a record number of its Coronis diagnostic display systems. The premium medical display systems will be used for the introduction and development of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems in hospitals across Spain. Barco's partner in Spain, Telefonica Soluciones, is responsible for the delivery and installation. Deliveries for this project have for the greater part been completed.

2007 shows good growth in sales and EBIT

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMT

Kortrijk, Belgium, 13 February 2008 - Barco (Euronext: BAR; Reuters: BARBt.BR; Bloomberg: BAR BB) today announced results for the three- and twelve-month periods ended 31 December, 2007.

On the basis of continuing operations (excluding BarcoVision and Manufacturing Services) sales for 4Q07 were euro 225.4 million. Orders were euro 186.6 million. EBIT was euro 27.0 million, a growth of 17.9% compared to 4Q06.
Sales on the basis of continuing operations for Fiscal Year 2007 were euro 747.2 million, up 9.7%, and orders were euro 795.4 million, an increase of 6.6%. Orderbook at 31 December 2007 was euro 304.5 million, 9.7% higher than the year before. EBIT was euro 57.5 million, an increase of 12.5%.
The Board of Directors will propose to the Annual Shareholders' meeting to increase the dividend to euro 2.40. Following the closing of the divestment of BarcoVision, a capital reduction to the amount of euro 70 million will result in approximately euro 5.80 per share.

Barco and BMTech reach agreement on the sale of the mechanical unit of the former Manufacturing Services division of Barco

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:05:00 GMT

Kortrijk, 20 December 2007. Barco announces that an agreement has been reached with BMTech on the sale of its mechanical subcontracting unit. This unit was the last part of the former Manufacturing Services division of Barco, after the electronic manufacturing and the print activities had been sold in December of 2006. The transfer to BMTech will become effective on 1 January, 2008 and will have a marginal impact on the results of Barco.

Barco brings China's largest full-color LED screen to life

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:30:00 GMT

Beijing, CHINA, 11 December 2007 — Barco, a world leader in visualization and display solutions, announces that Beijing Hao Yun Investment Group and Barco together launched the largest full-color LED screen in China.

Jo Cornu resigns as independent director of Barco following his appointment as CEO of Agfa-Gevaert

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:00:00 GMT

KORTRIJK, BELGLIUM, 30 November 2007 - Barco announces the resignation of Jo Cornu as independent director of Barco. In this way any conflict of interest can be avoided following his appointment as CEO of Agfa-Gevaert.

Barco sells production site to Brownfield Developer PSR

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 06:30:00 GMT

Decontamination liability also taken over by PSR

KORTRIJK, BELGIUM, 23 November, 2007 – Barco announced that it sold its site at Sevenslaan in Kortrijk to Gent brownfield developer PSR n.v. for the amount of 1.8 million euro. By doing so, Barco not only completely parts with the land and the buildings, but also with the related environmental liabilities. The site's major soil and groundwater pollution, due to the many years' of industrial activities on the part of Barco and the site's previous owners (chemical laundry and dyeing plant and pottery), will be structurally and permanently cleaned up by PSR, the industry's market leader. Discussions with the Kortrijk city administration have started in the framework of this redevelopment. The aim is to develop a mixed residential area, based on a revolutionary and sustainable concept, which will be acceptable by both local residents and policymakers.

The sale of the Sevenslaan site to PSR fits in with the sale of the BarcoVision division to Italian ITEMA. BarcoVision's current headquarters are located at Sevenslaan, where they will stay for the time being, given that the BarcoVision division will sign a rental agreement with PSR in this respect.

Barco to install six additional LED screens for live broadcasting of 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 06:30:00 GMT

KORTRIJK, BELGIUM – 16 November 2007 - Barco, a world leader in visualization and display solutions, has been contracted to install LED screens for the second phase of the Beijing Olympic Cultural Square project. This new order brings the total number of displays provided during phases I and II of the program to 14, with a total contract value of 6.5 million euro. The LED screens, strategically located throughout Beijing, will be used for live broadcasting of the 2008 Olympic games.

Strong growth in sales and profit confirms outlook full year 2007

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:30:00 GMT

Barco submits to shareholders proposal to return euro 70 million through capital reduction

Third Quarter 2007 Financial Highlights¹ on the basis of continuing operations² :

At the end of 3Q07 the order book was euro 347.2 million, an increase of 13.2% year-on-year. Order intake in 3Q07 totaled euro 204.5 million, 5.0% lower than the same period in 2006.
Sales amounted to euro 173.1 million, an increase of 13.0%.
Gross profit rose by 9.4% to euro 66.3 million from euro 60.6 million the previous year.
EBIT increased by 15.0% to euro 8.2 million from euro 7.2 million, while EBIT margin rose to 4.8% from 4.7% in 3Q06.
Net income was euro 8.5 million, a rise of 26.2% from euro 6.7 million in 3Q06.
Net earnings per share were euro 0.70. In the same period of the previous year they were euro 0.54.

¹Unless otherwise indicated, all financial and operating data discussed in this announcement are in accordance with IFRS and in million of Euro. Tables state figures in thousands of Euro, unless otherwise noted. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are between the three-month period ended September 30, 2007, and the equivalent three-month period ended September 30, 2006.

²Following IFRS rules comparison must be made on the basis of "continuing operations". This means that the results of the divisions Barco Manufacturing Services and BarcoVision are shown as a separate line ("results from discontinued operations") and added to the net results of the continuing operations. All financial data appearing further in this announcement will be based on "continuing operations" for 3Q06 as well as for 3Q07, unless otherwise indicated.

Barco unveils China's largest sports LED screen for 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:10:00 GMT

KORTRIJK, BELGIUM — 3 October 2007 --- Barco, a world leader in visualization and display solutions, announces installation of the largest LED sports application screen in China. The big screen was unveiled at Shanghai Stadium in preparation for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Shanghai from 2-11 October 2007.

Barco brings ancient China to life at British Museum

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:00:00 GMT

London, United Kingdom – Barco, a preferred partner in advanced digital visualization, is proud to announce that it is working with the British Museum on its hugely popular exhibition: 'The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army'. For this unique exhibition Barco has provided two five-channel projection systems that will display one of the greatest archeological discoveries of the twentieth century in vivid colors and full 1080 pixel High Definition.

Strong Q2 growth and profit confirm successful strategic reorientation of Barco

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 06:30:00 GMT

Second Quarter 2007 financial highlights¹ on the basis of continuing operations² :

Orders totalled euro 183 million, a rise of 7.3% compared to the same period in 2006.
Sales amounted to euro 192.3 million, an increase of 15.6%.
Gross profit rose by 7.7% to euro 74.9 million from euro 69.6 million the year before.
EBIT increased by 21.1% to euro 15.7 million, while EBIT margin rose to 8.2% from 7.8% in 2Q06.
Current earnings per share were euro 1.05 compared with euro 0.85 the year before: an increase of 23.5%.
Net income was euro 14.3 million, a rise of 26.8% from euro 11.3 million in 2Q06.
Net earnings per share were euro 1.19; in the same period the year before they were euro 0.93.

¹ Unless otherwise indicated, all financial and operating data discussed in this announcement are in accordance with IFRS and in million of Euro. Tables state figures in thousands of Euro, unless otherwise noted. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are between the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, and the equivalent three-month period ended June 30, 2006.

² Following IFRS rules comparison must be made on the basis of "continuing operations". This means that the results of the divisions Barco Manufacturing Services and BarcoVision are shown as a separate line ("results from discontinued operations") and added to the net results of the continuing operations. All financial data appearing further in this announcement will be based on "continuing operations" for 2Q06 as well as for 2Q07, unless otherwise indicated.

Barco signs agreement with Italian Itema to divest its division BarcoVision

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:45:00 GMT

Kortrijk, Belgium, 19 July 2007. Barco nv today announces the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of its division BarcoVision by Itema Group from Bergamo, Italy, pending the approval of antitrust authorities. The value of the transaction is 72 million euro. The precise impact on Barco's results and further information will be given at the closing of the acquisition, which is expected before end 2007.

Barco appoints new CFO

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:30:00 GMT

Kortrijk, 28 June, 2007. Barco announces the appointment of Dirk De Man as Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Antoon Van Petegem, the current CFO of Barco. The appointment is effective 1 September 2007. A transition period is foreseen until the end of 2007.

Barco overwhelms Eurovision spectators with high end visualization effects

Fri, 11 May 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Kortrijk, Belgium, 11 May 2007. Barco, leader in creative LED technology, is once again playing a key role in show visualization at this year's 52nd Eurovision Song contest. With an impressive combination of the latest LED technology and digital projectors, the show is set to be bigger and more visually entertaining than ever before.

Strong order intake increases confidence in sales and profit targets for 2007

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:30:00 GMT

First Quarter 2007 Financial Highlights¹ :

Orders at euro 237.5 million, up 19.0% compared to the same period of the year before. On a comparable basis, i.e. excluding the 1Q06 orders of the divested parts of Manufacturing Services, growth was 21.5%.
Sales at euro 172.5 million, 0.2% up compared to reported sales for 1Q06. Excluding the 1Q06 sales of the divested parts of Manufacturing Services, sales grew by 1.6%. Taking into account also the USD/Euro rate, which declined 9% versus 1Q06, sales increased by 5.6%.
EBIT at euro 9.7 million, up 4.3% compared to euro 9.3 million in 1Q06. On a comparable basis up 6.6%. On the same basis EBIT margin up to 5.6% from 5.4% in 1Q06. Current earnings per share of euro 0.62 versus euro 0.61.
Net income at euro 7.5 million, up 2.3% from euro 7.4 million in 1Q06.
Net earnings per share were euro 0.62, same as the year before.

Barco China to hold its first ‘Innovation Week'

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Barco set to unveil latest products and innovations in Beijing open house event.

Barco signs contract with GDC Technology for supply of 700 digital cinema projectors in China

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 07:00:00 GMT

Kortrijk, Belgium, 1 March, 2007. Barco, a global leader in digital cinema, is delighted to announce that it has entered into a Development and Supply agreement with GDC Technology Limited for the supply of 700 Barco 2K DLP Cinema® projectors in China.

2006 growth supported by strong fourth quarter

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:30:00 GMT

Kortrijk, Belgium, 14 February, 2007 - Barco (Euronext: BAR; Reuters: BARBt.BR; Bloomberg: BAR BB) today announced results for the three- and twelve-month periods ended 31 December, 2006.
For 4Q06 sales were euro 222.5 million. Orders were euro 195.9 million. EBIT (before goodwill impairment) was euro 26.8 million.
Sales for Fiscal Year 2006 were euro 750.8 million and orders euro 817.7 million, leading to a book-to-bill ratio (orders divided by sales) of 1.09. EBIT was euro 60.7 million.

Barco focuses further on its growth markets and investigates the possibility to divest the division BarcoVision

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:30:00 GMT

Kortrijk, Belgium, 22 January, 2007 – The strategy of Barco, leader in professional markets for visualisation, is to focus further on its growth markets. In this respect, Barco has decided to investigate the possibilities to divest the division BarcoVision. This division, with a sales figure of euro 57.8 million in 2005 and good profit margins, is active in the markets of textile and production process optimization.

ING Corporate Finance has recently been selected to initially investigate possible strategic options. On that basis, the further strategy will be determined. Today, no commitment can be taken on as to the moment at which a potential divestment could take place.

Barco and IPTE reach agreement on the sale of the Electronic Manufacturing activity of the division Barco Manufacturing Services

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:45:00 GMT

Kortrijk, 20 December, 2006. Barco announces that an agreement has been reached with IPTE on the sale of the Electronic Manufacturing activity of the division Barco Manufacturing Services. The transfer will become effective on 1 January, 2007 and will have a marginal impact on the results of Barco.